Technology Offer

Ref: 07 DE DSIT 0IPS

Date: 04/09/2007 12:03:52

Title: Medical imaging of chronic inflammation in joints

Abstract: A German SME has developed a technology to specifically indicate inflamed tissues on the basis of an antibody fragment combined with a short-living and moderate radioactive isotope. All foci of inflammation in the joints of patients may be tracked by ‘medical imaging’. The technology allows for a minimally invasive, direct, rapid, and safe diagnosis of the location, extent and intensity of any focus of inflammation. The company seeks for partners from the medical technology branch for licensing.

Description: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints of patients. The inflammation causes strong pain and increasing immobility owing to the destruction of the body’s own tissue. The exact determination of the place, extent and chronological sequence of the chronic inflammation is the prerequisite for an efficacious, free from adverse effects, therapy. Conventional diagnostic tools, utilised to identify inflamed tissue, such as X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, respectively, are not able to locate specifically inflamed joints. Thus, up to now, an early diagnosis of RA as well as monitoring the efficacy of the therapy within a short time period following the treatment has not been feasible. On the other hand, the diagnosis and treatment of RA can take several months before the efficacy of treatment can be judged. A small private biotech-company from Saxony, dedicated to the development of novel methods for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, has developed a marker technology for medical imaging of chronic inflammation (particularly linked to rheumatoid arthritis, RA). This marker, being able to specifically indicate inflamed tissues, is based on an antibody fragment combined with a short-living and moderate radioactive isotope. It allows for ‘medical imaging’ of any focus of inflammation in the joints of patients. Animal trials and initial pilot studies with patients have shown impressive results with this new in vivo diagnostic tool. The marker has successfully passed the first clinical trial. The technology allows for a minimally invasive, direct, rapid, and safe method to make a very early diagnosis of the location, extent and intensity of every focus of inflammation. Additionally, the efficacy of the therapy may be judged within a very short time following treatment. Thus, it becomes much easier for patients to enter earlier into an effective therapy against RA. The company has protected the IPR on the technology by several patent applications and is now seeking partners for licensing. Innovative Aspects: - Minimally invasive, direct, rapid, and safe method to make a very early diagnosis of the location, extent and intensity of every focus of chronic inflammation, - prerequisite for an efficacious, free from adverse effects, therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis, - the efficacy of the therapy may be judged within a very short time following treatment, - multiple application to the same patient possible, thus suited for recording the progression of the therapy.